Don’t Go to Brooks Falls Without Reading This First!
Planning a trip to Brooks Falls in Alaska’s Katmai National Park? This iconic bear-viewing spot is on many travelers’ bucket lists—and for good reason. Every summer, brown bears gather here to feast on salmon leaping up the falls. But before you book, there are a few things you should know to make your trip unforgettable.This guide covers -how to get to Brooks Falls, the best time to visit, what gear to bring, bear photography tips, safety advice, and insider recommendations from my own experience as a bear photographer and adventurer.
Here's what this blog will cover:
- Initial thoughts on Brooks Falls
- Where is Brooks Falls?
- Best time to visit
- How to get there
- Permits and Accommodations
- What to pack for your trip
1. My Initial Thoughts on Brooks Falls
When I first booked Brooks Falls, I’ll admit—I was hesitant. (Okay, maybe I'm a little spoiled.) After visiting remote corners of Katmai like Halo Bay—where I’ve seen wolves stalking grizzly cubs, massive boars battling for dominance, and entire bear families fishing—I wasn’t sure a “touristy” spot like Brooks Falls could compare.
Crowds aren’t really my thing (hence why I love Alaska), and Brooks Falls can see 200+ visitors per day in peak season. Most floatplanes only carry 6–11 passengers, so that’s a lot of flights coming in. Plus, I’d heard the rangers are strict (for good reason—bear safety is no joke).
But, I’d always wanted my own shot of the iconic bear catching salmon mid-air photo. And I’m glad I went—because Brooks Falls surprised me in the best way. Let's dive in.
2. Where Is Brooks Falls?
Brooks Falls is in Katmai National Park, a 4-million-acre wilderness on the Alaska Peninsula. Established in 1918 to protect the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes after a volcanic eruption, Katmai is now world-famous for its brown bear population and thriving salmon runs. Check it out here: Katmai National Park---
3. Best Time to Visit Brooks Falls
The peak bear-viewing season depends on salmon runs and can change year to year:-Late June – Mid-July: Highest bear activity as salmon begin their upstream migration and bears will be mating.
September: Another great viewing window as bears fatten up before hibernation.
Shoulder Months: Fewer crowds in early June and late August, but bear sightings can be less predictable.
If you’re after the classic “bear at the falls” photo, aim for early to mid-July. We went in mid-July and did not get this photo, so remember it's wildlife, wildlife is unpredictable.
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4. How to Get to Brooks Falls
Option A: Fastest Route-Anchorage → King Salmon (commercial flight)
-Floatplane → Brooks Camp (~\$450 round trip via Katmai Air)
* Ideal for travelers short on time—book well in advance.
Option B: Most Flexible & Weather-Resistant
-Anchorage or Homer → King Salmon
-Shuttle to lake Naknek via boat launch
-Katmai Water Taxi (~45 min; $400–$550)
* Less weather-dependent than floatplanes.
Option C: Private Charter
* Charter from Anchorage, Homer, or Kodiak directly to Brooks Camp via floatplane
* Perfect for groups or those with flexible schedules and budgets
Our view going across Katmai on the way to Brooks Falls.
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5. Permit & Accommodation Tips
-Camping at Brooks Camp: Reserve early via Rec.gov—spaces sell out quickly, like day of open quickly. Camping gives you multiple opportunities to see bears at different times of day.-There's a lodge at Brook with a restaurant and what looks like great accommodations: https://www.nps.gov/places/brooks-lodge.htm
-River Permit: Required to walk the river corridor. Only worth it if you have a guide, waders, and bear safety experience. River Permit
-Gear & Food Cache: Brooks Camp has a storage area for food and equipment—very handy for waders, boots, and gear you don’t want to carry on trails.
* Food Rules*: You can only eat in designated fenced areas. No food in backpacks while hiking, no eating on trails.
-Before embarking on your adventure you'll have to attend "bear school" that teaches you appropriate behavior around these bears. The ranger center opens at 8 am. I'd recommend doing that first and then hitting the falls before too many planes make it to the lake. Bear school
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6. What to Pack for Brooks Falls
* Long telephoto lens (200–400mm or more)
* Lightweight monopod or tripod especially if you're taking video
* Polarizing filter (CPL) for glare reduction, a neutral density filter for the falls
* Waterproof boots and waders (mostly for river permit holders)
* Rain jacket and layers (weather changes fast and it gets HOT in the sun there)
* Dry bag for camera gear and rain covers for lenses/cameras or a backpack to carry your items
* Bug spray & sunscreen
* Binoculars for spotting bears from afar
*Sturdy hiking books as most of the trails are gravel/ dirt and are uneven in many places.
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7. Photography Tips for Brooks Falls
* Stay 50 yards away and try and maintain that distance from bears*: Park rules require this distance from bears to keep you safe and avoid changing their behavior.*Lenses: I used a Canon 200–400mm f/4 with 1.4× teleconverter (560mm). A 200–800mm or 600mm with a TC would also work very well for this trip.
* Falls Shots: A 70–200mm is great for wider views with a bear in frame and the waterfall scene, longer lenses for detail shots like fish in mouths, claws, etc.
* Filters*: A CPL filter helps with glare, especially in midday light, it can also naturally boost contrast in your images. For the falls shot where you want to blend the water, a 1 stop or even 1/2 stop ND filter is probably enough especially on a cloudy day. I was able to get some blur in the water even in bright sunlight.
* Tripod/Monopod*: Optional, but useful for heavy lenses. I handheld my lens all day and was fine.
* Weather Readiness*: Conditions can flip between rain, clouds, and bright sun in minutes. Make sure your gear is protected.
Sample photos from my trip:
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8. Safety Tips for Brooks Falls
* Never approach a bear—let them pass if they’re on the trail.
* Follow ranger instructions at all times.
* Keep a safe distance (50 yards from bears).
* Store all food in designated areas.
* Move slowly and avoid running—bears can run faster than you think.
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9. What I’d Do Differently
* I'd try Camping at Brooks Camp to maximize bear-viewing time.* Maybe next time I'd bring a 2× teleconverter for even more reach.
* Shoot more video of bear behavior.
* I'd use a monopod for long sessions with heavy glass or a monopod with holster so it can stay on my body
* I'd 100% Keep the river permit—it’s where we saw the most action, but we are also very comfortable hiking in, through, and around bears and bear habitat (at least in Alaska).
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10. My Final Take
Our flight from Kodiak was unforgettable—flying past rugged mountain peaks, glittering glaciers, and landing on a glassy lake.Brooks Camp was busier than my usual bear-watching spots, but there was still plenty of bear activity and behavior to photograph, I didn't feel like I was in a crowd of people.
Would I go again? Absolutely. Halo Bay will always be my favorite for remoteness, but Brooks Falls is worth every penny—and should be on every Alaska traveler’s list during bear season at least once. You can always contact
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11. Brooks Falls FAQ
Q: How many bears will I see?A: In peak season, you might see a dozen or more at once. Numbers vary by salmon run and time of day. Walking the river I saw at least 8 bears along one small stretch of river. We saw at least two bears on the trails and two bears right near the ranger station.
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Q: Can kids visit Brooks Falls?
A: Yes, but supervision and following safety rules are critical, youngsters should not leave more than a few feet from adults.
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Q: Do you need a guide?
A: Not for the main platforms, but guides are recommended for river access or photography-focused trips, especially if you're new to bear viewing and walking streams.
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Q: Are tripods allowed on the platform at the falls.
A: No, but they can be used as a monopod, there is also a railing if you need to stabilize your camera
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